Looking back, looking forward: the growth of the Inclusive Employment Sector Anne LEYMAT and Harisha VARATHARAJAH Technical Advisors for Livelihoods Inclusive Employment Seminar Vientiane, LAOS 7 th – 11 TH October 2013

“ Every day we are reminded that, for everybody, work is a defining feature of human existence. It is the means of and of meeting. But it is also the activity through which individuals affirm their own both to themselves and to those around them. It is crucial to individual choice, to the welfare of families and to the stability of societies.” Juan Somavia, Director-General of the ILO, 2001 Inclusive Employment Seminar Vientiane, Laos. October 2013 © J.Clark for Handicap International

“ Every day we are reminded that, for everybody, work is a defining feature of human existence. It is the means of sustaining life and of meeting basic needs. But it is also the activity through which individuals affirm their own identity both to themselves and to those around them. It is crucial to individual choice, to the welfare of families and to the stability of societies.” Juan Somavia, Director-General of the ILO, 2001 Inclusive Employment Seminar Vientiane, Laos. October 2013 © J.Clark for Handicap International

The Key Milestones Wide approach Study Development Inclusive Employment Seminar

Sector wide approach :  Activities and target : microfinance, rural development, vocational training projects From 2002 :  Start developing Innovative Pilot Projects with Microfinance stakeholders Key Countries : Cambodia, Laos, Senegal, Mali, Central Africa Republic, Madagascar, Burundi, Kenya, Mozambic The journey so far : 1993 – 2005

More specific livelihood projects target towards persons with disabilities and surrounding families Aims expanded beyond service delivery, poverty reduction, living conditions Key projects : Cambodia, Mali, Senegal, Burundi, Angola, Madagascar and Nicaragua The journey so far : 2005

2005 / 2006 : Study on Good Practices Study Good Practices :  crucial for learning lessons from HI’s experiences in microfinance  for confirming HI’s place as an innovative actor on inclusive microfinance

International Advocacy on Microfinance 2006 : Launch of a livelihood and microfinance working group within IDDC 2008 : IDDC / HI member of European Microfinance Platform Emfp 2009 / 2011 : disability part of the Agenda / Emfp 2010 : Center for Financial Inclusion / World Bank

From theory into practice 2010 : Sensitization Pilot Afghanistan Change practices 2012 / 2013 : Center for Financial Inclusion partnership Pilot : Paragway Training kit and coaching at institutional level Results : Smart Campaign include Disability

A common voice An organisational Policy Paper was produced based upon field level evidence and under pinned by international livelihood influences (MDGs, CRPD....) Operational Tools

The journey so far: HIF HIB Exponential growth of Inclusive Employment worldwide 18 Livelihoods projects 18 Livelihood components 27 countries

Regional Breakdown of projects Inclusive Employment Seminar Laos. October countries 12 countries

Scope of intervention Main focus :  Microfinance : 10 projects,  VET : 5 projects,  Grants : 6 projects,  Livelihood Services providers / ILD : 4 Profile of beneficiaries :  persons ultra poor, other vulnerable groups (women, ethnic minorities….), persons refugees, ex combattants Diverse contexts : 6 post conflict context

Forecast in 2014 New countries joining :  Bolivia, Cuba, Tunisia  Afghanistan? Timor East ? DRC ? Ethiopia ? New projects with innovative approach :  Mali, Senegal, Morocco Inclusive Employment Seminar Vientiane, Laos October 2013

Three basic intervention principles: Persons with disabilities / Vulnerable persons have the right to access remunerated employment, Environments must respond to the physical, social, emotional needs and personal aspirations of individual, Employment policy and practice must reflect and respect the diversity. Our Vision

Levels of intervention Direct support to persons with disabilities and their families, as part of local inclusive community development Improvement of services (microfinance, VET, social, private employers….), Inclusive employment policy development at national level. Our approach photo(c) Handicap International

FACT The situation and the economic constraints in developing countries lead the majority of PwDs to create their own employment. Self-confidence Technical / VET skills Skills required for joining the workplace Job search skills Waged Employment Self- Employment Self-confidence Technical / VET skills Entrepreneurial skills Accessible and appropriate financial resources Our Thematic scope

Successes to date Worldwide portfolio of livelihoods projects Diverse target groups : persons with disabilities, vulnerable people, refugees, demobilized soldiers, persons living with HIV... Significant increase in the number of persons accessing and participating in economic life, thus improving quality of life Strong field teams (partners and HI staff)

Challenges ahead Scaling up actions to produce systemic change Strenghtening strategic partnership with mainstream livelihood actors Generating Research Based Evidence

Opportunities to seize Playing a lead role in the Microfinance sector promoting Inclusive Microfinance (theme: disability)

Alone we go fastest, together we go further … … Promoting Inclusive Employment for all ! th October 2013 Vientiane, LAOS

Working Together for a decent work for all! For further info about Handicap International’s Livelihood work visit: photo(c) Handicap International